JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — In two separate moves, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed 2018 Renewable Volume Obligation numbers for the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, as well as a measure to repeal the Obama-era Waters of the U.S. rule. Both are positive moves for corn farmers.
The proposed RVO numbers mirror the statutory 15 billion gallons for corn-based ethanol as originally intended by Congress. In a time of low prices and the need for additional corn grind, MCGA applauds EPA for setting the numbers at the maximum levels for conventional ethanol. This proposal opens a comment window on the rule making. MCGA will be submitting formal comments to EPA in support of maintaining the proposed levels. In addition, Missouri Corn board member Jay Schutte testified in support of the proposed levels during a hearing in Washington, D.C., Aug. 1.
In other good news, the current EPA has proposed an official repeal of the definition on WOTUS, walking back the previous administration’s rule. This rule is also open for comments and we encourage you to join MCGA in supporting the repeal. Deadline for public comments on WOTUS is Aug. 28. The next step will be for EPA to submit a new definition of WOTUS that provides the clarity agriculture needs and ensures its scope does not go beyond what was originally intended. Based on past efforts, we know the opposition will be commenting. Help balance the conversation on both issues by visiting http://capwiz.com/ncga/home/.
— Missouri Corn Growers Association
For more news from Missouri, click here.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
WASHINGTON — Editor’s note: The following organizations have issued statements concerning the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s proposed rule, “The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors.” The rule would would require registrants to provide certain climate-related information in their registration statements and annual reports. American Farm Bureau Federation Proposed SEC Rule Requirements Nearly Impossible for […]
WASHINGTON — While slightly lower than originally anticipated in December, soybean farmers remain pleased with the blending volumes announced June 3 by the Environmental Protection Agency, which include the largest-ever renewable volume obligation for biomass-based diesel and clear a troublesome backlog of small refinery exemption, or SRE, requests. The 2022 finalized rule aligns with levels previously […]
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden was in Iowa earlier this week to announce an emergency waiver to allow widespread sale of a 15% ethanol blend. The blend is usually prohibited between June 1 and Sept. 15 because of concerns that it adds to smog in high temperatures. Find more information about this annoucement here. Below, […]
WASHINGTON — The following statements were released following the EPA’s announcement that annual production requirements for ethanol and other biofuels would be lowered to account for reduced demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The EPA also announced that requests by small oil refineries to be exempted from ethanol requirements would be rejected. More […]
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Tuesday lowered annual production requirements for ethanol and other biofuels to account for reduced demand as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, the administration moved to reject requests by small oil refineries to be exempted from ethanol requirements, saying they had failed to show […]
